The introductions are over in one way or another.

　We all seem to have been abandoned by our parents in different ways.

　We all come from different backgrounds.
　It seems it's only been a few days since we became friends. That means there's room for me to fit in. No worries.

　It's about a 50/50 split of boys and girls.
　Normally, girls are discarded first, but for some reason it's 50/50.
　Well, it doesn't matter right now.

　For now, I'd like to introduce you to the five most important people in the world.

　Ron. Twelve years old. You're the oldest. He's taller than I am now. He's a bit of a fighter, but has a sense of responsibility.

　Seo-yeon. Twelve years old. She's from the same village as Ron. She's pretty. Probably Ron's wife. I'm an honorary member of the family.
but the attitude is huge for the kids, including Ron. I miss the sober feeling of distance.

　Mr. Rosward. Eleven years old. He was number two before I came along. Even more intimidating than Ron's. Doesn't seem to care about me.

　Tetra-chan. Ten years old Quiet. Doesn't talk at all.

　Gram. Ten years old Small and timid.

　These are the five main characters in this group.

　I think we're going to have to do some farm work.
　I talk policy with five people in front of me.
　To be frank, I don't think it's worth asking the kids' opinions, but it's better than starting out on my own.
　I'm a stranger who jumps in and joins in.
　I was asked to refrain from talking to a child under the age of 10.

　But it's a lot of work to farm, you know?　What are you going to do?
　Ron's opinion.
　You are absolutely right.
　To begin with, unclaimed land is very hard. And it would be hard work to cut it down because of the plant roots.
　The fatal point is that all of them are children.
　Moreover, there were only six children over ten years old, including me, who were likely to be able to fight.
　It's reckless.

　But it's better than nothing.

　"We can't do it, we can't do it. Let's not do it.
　Mr. Rosward throws his feet up and makes an unwilling statement.
　Then he glares at me.
　'As far as I'm concerned, you won't get anywhere listening to this guy. Hey, you'd think so. Tetra?
　...but agriculture is the only way to get a steady stream of food.
　Tetra seems to agree with me.

　'What do you think, Gram?'
　'What!　No, I mean I don't know.
　Gram-kun with a horrified expression.
　Well, it's no wonder you don't understand. All kids are like that.

　"But how do you plow it?
　Buy an iron farm tool. I think it would make things a lot easier.
　'Buy?　What do you mean buy?
　Oh you don't have any money. That's a misspelling.

　It means we're going to barter.
　'If I had anything to trade for steel farm tools, I'd have it in my stomach long ago. You're an idiot.
　Mr. Rosward. Harsh comment. Hey, you're the one who called me an idiot.

　"I've got something for you. Not much to eat, I'm afraid.
　Five people nodded their heads in unison at my words. It's kind of cute.

　'Hey, I've got it.'
　Gryphon's voice enters my ears. Apparently, he brought me what I wanted.

　''Thank you. I can manage with this thing.''
　I receive a large number of swords and spears from the gryphon. Seventy percent of them are made of iron and thirty percent of them are made of bronze.

　All of these weapons were brought by brave people (a**h*les) to defeat the Gryphon. They are aged and rusty, but they are all precious metals.

　It's not a matter of concern. "Don't worry about it, I don't need fangs and claws like these. "I don't need fangs and claws like these, they don't return to the ground and they smell bad. Get rid of them as soon as you can. Well, there's still a lot left over. I'll go get them.
　The griffon said and flew away.
　The values of beasts and humans are completely different.

　''So, that's why you're going to war?''
　No.
　I disagree with Gram's statement. I mean, Gram, your ideas are pretty extreme.
　You have a frightened habit of being scared.

　It's a powerful weapon, but children can't defeat adults on their own. If a kid brandishes a weapon, he can beat them with his bare hands.
　In adults vs. children, the game is obvious. I'm not going to be so reckless. No matter how close we are to starving to death.

　'You'd trade iron farm tools for that?
　That's what I mean. Tetra-chan!
　I try to pat Tetra-chan's head and duck. I'm sad, brother.

　'Why don't you just buy some food with it?'
　Ron's question is answered by Tetra-chan.
　'You buy it and never see it again. You won't get any more food.'
　Oh, that too.
　Ron easily backs down. That's the beauty of Ron's honesty.

　'But is it possible to dig up dirt easily with just an iron farm tool?　It's very hard, but...
　Tetra said.
　'We'll have to find a soft spot. 'Worst case scenario, we'll have to hire an adult. Tell him I'll give him a little help with the iron sword, and he'll do it on our terms.
　And Master Gryphon's authority is great.　
　Well, it's a last resort.

　Another way is to ask the Gryphon himself to help us.
　It's also possible to extend the time limit by turning the iron sword into food.

　For now, we'll trade this weapon for farming tools.

　There is no opposition.
　Well, I just don't want you to disagree with me without an alternative.

　The question is, where do we want to replace it do any of you know the geography of the area?
　I look at Ron-kun as I say this. Ron-kun shakes his head at breakneck speed.
　'Impossible. I only know about the area around the village. 'What about Seo-yeon?'
　I'm sorry I don't know either.

　Where is Mr. Rosward?
　'What?　I ... well ... I mean ... I know, but I can't tell you, or ...
　'So you don't know. Gram, do you?
　S-so, s-so, I'm sorry...

　Well, it can't be helped. A level of culture where there is no money. How could a peasant child know what goes on outside the village....

　Where's Tetra-chan?
　I know.
　Okay, I knew it... what?

　Do you know?
　A little.
　With that, Tetra-chan told me about the surroundings of this forest.

　The name of this forest seems to be Romano's Forest.
　On the east side of the forest, there is a country ruled by a man named King Rosais. To the northwest is a large country ruled by King Gilbed. And to the northeast is the kingdom of King Domorgal. And to the north of Gilbed and Domorgal there is a country ruled by a man named King Fardham.

　'King Rosais' country is not very large. It doesn't have decent iron farming tools, and it doesn't have many iron weapons. King Domorgal's country and Gilbed's country are quite big and I think they have iron farming tools. And King Gilbed's country and King Domorgal's country are at war with King Fardham's country because of the recent famine.
　Okay. So now is the best time. To put it another way, if we don't get there soon, the farm tools will be crushed and turned into weapons. We've got to hurry.

　How do you know so much about this?　I'd like to ask him, but I can't do that right now. Besides, it would be rude to go in and ask him when you're not close to him. You can wait until you get to know each other better.

　"If I were an adult...
　Tetra-chan looks me straight in the eye and says.
　"We're just going to take your weapon. What are we going to do about that?

　Well, yes. No adult is going to be able to talk to a child in a proper way in the early days. I don't know if it's normal, but right now it's an emergency. Even more so now. And as important as it is for them to win the war, next year's harvest is just as important. They don't give me iron farming tools so easily.

　"Don't worry. "Don't worry, we've thought it through. "Don't worry, I've thought it through.
　I show the five of them a large feather. A beautiful, golden feather.
　Is it Master Gryphon's?
　Gram's voice quivered.
　'Oh, you've stolen it!
　Rosward shouted loudly.
　I'm sorry to say that you stole it. I just picked it up off the ground.

　'What are you going to do with it?'
　Seo-yeon asks, tilting her head slightly. Seo-yeon is the most honest and cute.
　'We're Master Gryphon's messengers while showing you this!　It wouldn't hurt to say that, would it?
　Isn't that a punishment?
　Ron-kun asked with an uneasy look on his face.
　Gryphon is certainly admirable, but he's not a god. There's no way he's going to be punished. At least that's what I think.
　But it seems the children are different. The four of them, with the exception of Tetra-chan, look very uneasy.
　It's a question of perception between me and them.

　"We got a green light.
　When I say that, the four of them give me a reassuring look.　
　It's true that the Gryphon is scary, but I don't feel like he's an existence to be scared of that much.
　They're also good at taking care of things.

　Then let's go immediately. For now, I'll trade the ten iron swords and six bronze swords that are in this place right now. If we replace them all, it's likely to be difficult to find a solution when the time comes.
　For now, we'll just replace these.
　We need the farm tools as soon as possible now, but there are other things we need as well.

　'It's not safe for us all to go together. Anyone who wants to go!
　Then Mr. Gram and Mr. Rosward raised their hands.

　'Okay, let's go!　Tetra-chan.
　I take Tetra-chan's hand in mine. Tetra-chan gives me a dubious look.
　'I haven't raised my hand.'
　What are you talking about? Nobody knows the geography of this neighborhood better than you. You're a mandated participant!　
　When I said that, Tetra-chan sighed loudly.

________.

　So I'd like to trade you.
　The village chief looked suspicious at my words.
　That would be suspicious if a kid claiming to be a Gryphon messenger suddenly started asking for an iron sword and bronze sword in exchange for farm tools.
　I know exactly what you're thinking.

　The village chief looks at our swords and the gryphon's wings in turn.
　He seems troubled.

　''Village chief!　I've got a blacksmith!
　A couple of guys come running in.
　One of them begins to examine the sword we have.
　A look of surprise appears on the face of the man who is probably a blacksmith.
　This sword, hypothetically, was brought by those who wanted to defeat the Gryphon. They are all great swords, albeit rusty.
　You can trade them for farm tools, you know?　Cheap exchange, right?

　What do you want?
　Yes. Ten hoes. Three axes. And eight sickles.
　The only thing that is made of iron is the tip. Compared to that, the iron sword I brought is made entirely of iron except for the handle.
　The truth is, you may ask for more, but this is a child.
　I'm going to ask for less.

　The village chief agrees to exchange them after much deliberation.

　If the war situation worsens, all of the iron farming tools will be turned into weapons, so this would be a good exchange. It's also good for them.

　We left with a hint that we might come back another time for an exchange.